Sheffield United: Murphy is ‘unplayable’ says pal

Jamie Murphy enters tomorrow's game at Swindon Town in fine form � BLADES SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

James Shield
Sheffield United

Published:06:00Updated:07:09Friday 28 March 2014

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Conor Coady, the Sheffield United midfielder, has described team mate Jamie Murphy as ‘unplayable’ ahead of tomorrow’s League One encounter at Swindon Town, writes James Shield.

Murphy enters the meeting with Mark Cooper’s side in sparkling form and was responsible for creating both of the on-loan midfielder’s goals during Tuesday evening’s victory over Crawley.

Coady, whose brace catapulted United to within seven points of sixth-placed Peterborough, said: “Since the gaffer (Nigel Clough) came in Jamie has been brilliant. The amount of assists he gets is a joke.

“No one can deal with him in this division. He’s been fantastic.

“I’ve seen full-backs try and go tight on him and I’ve seen them drop off but he just beats them every time.”

Clough’s appointment in October coincided with Murphy’s dramatic change in fortune following a frustrating start to his career at Bramall Lane. The winger, a £250,000 capture from Motherwell 14 months ago, scored twice during his first 21 outings for United but has netted four and claimed eight assists so far this term.

“Jamie is a threat with his pace and directness and, as a full-back, you don’t know what he is going to do,” Clough said. “That’s six (goals) now for Conor, all since around Christmas time.

“His energy levels are fantastic and, with the likes of Michael Doyle protecting the back four, it gives him an opportunity to get forward.

“That, getting into the penalty box, is something we have been encouraging Conor to do because he’s got the ability to make it count.”

United, who face Hull City in the FA Cup semi-finals next month, enjoy a game in hand on Peterborough following the midweek win at the Checkatrade.com Stadium and Coady, asked whether they could mount a late challenge for the play-offs, replied: “You never know but the biggest thing the gaffer tells us is just to approach things on a game by game basis. So, what we’ve got to do now is get back on the horse and focus on Saturday because it’s another massive match for us.

“All we want to do is concentrate on trying to get better as a team and as a group and then just see where that takes us. We’re not talking about doing anything in particular, other than concentrating on trying to win our next game because that’s always the most important.”